Wednesday, 28 November 2007

CL Matchday 5: Wednesday Review

European champions AC Milan got the point they needed against Benfica to secure qualification while Goran Pandev's goal was not enough for Lazio, as Olympiakos came back to win 2-1 to all but destroy their Champions League hopes.

GROUP D: Benfica 1-1 AC Milan / Celtic 2-1 Shakhtar DonetskBenfica thought they had done enough to live another day in the Champions League after coming from behind to draw 1-1 with Milan, only for a late goal in Glasgow to send the holders through and the Portuguese club out.

The home side were still in contention for the knockout rounds when the final whistle blew, Andrea Pirlo and Maxi Pereira having traded superb first-half goals, but the celebrations were curtailed when news filtered through that Celtic had scored an added-time winner against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Benfica must now prevail in Ukraine on Matchday 6 to reach the UEFA Cup, while Milan entertain the Scottish team requiring a point to win Group D. former Milan midfielder Massimo Donati scored with virtually the last kick of the game to finally separate Celtic and Shakhtar in Glasgow. Brandao had given the visitors an early lead before Jiri Jarosik scored the equaliser.

GROUP C: Lazio 1-2 Olympiakos / Werder Bremen 3-2 Real MadridOlympiakos moved a step closer to the last 16 after coming from behind to beat Lazio in Rome.

Goals from Luciano Galletti and Darko Kovacevic either side of half-time cancelled out Goran Pandev's strike on the half-hour. The result capped a resolute display by the visitors who fought back bravely and always looked in control once Galletti and half-time substitute Kovacevic had turned the game around.

Lazio must win away to Real Madrid on Matchday 6 while a draw at home to Werder Bremen will do for the Greeks.

Madrid still need a result against Lazio after they were beaten 3-2 by Werder Bremen in the other game. Strikes from Markus Rosenberg, Boubacar Sanogo and Aaron Hunt were enough for the Germans, while Robinho had equalised earlier and Ruud van Nistelrooy struck for the visitors in a pulsating encounter.

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